WPost Email: Like the Rest of the Offense, Gardner's in a Funk

Redskins wide receiver Rod Gardner appeared set for a breakout season after his performance in Week 3 (javascript:ol('http://letters.washingtonpost.com/WARH046BC75540875E17F3F1A17E60');). Gardner caught 10 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns, but, like the rest of Washington's offense, has limped along since.

Gardner has caught a total of 11 passes in six games since then, has failed to reach even 50 yards in a game and has three touchdowns in that span. Part of the problem was surely the weak play of Mark Brunell, who was stripped of his starting quarterback duties this week, as Brunell regularly failed to complete even 10 passes in a game or throw for more than 100 yards. But Gardner has also been guilty of dropping passes and failing to get open. He failed to catch a pass Nov. 7 in Detroit (javascript:ol('http://letters.washingtonpost.com/WARH046BC72570875E17F3F1A17E60');) -- the first time in his NFL career he was held without a reception -- and has not had more than three catches in a game since facing Dallas.

"I don't know the reason, [for the slump]," Gardner said, "but [after] the Dallas game it was looking promising and obviously the offense has really struggled since then, and it shows. It's a rough time right now."

Gardner has not been effective on trick plays this since either, something he has excelled at in the past. A former quarterback, he has failed on both of his pass attempts this season -- including one in Sunday's loss -- and has been stuffed on end-arounds and reverses as well.

"I get giddy and happy when I'm ready to throw it," Gardner said, "because you know I love to play quarterback, I still have it in me. . . . Man, I wish I could have competed that one Sunday, but it didn't work. It's killing my quarterback rating."

-- Jason La Canfora

not what he needs in a contract year

What the hell do you expect when Brunell throws for 60 yards a game. Not a single pass in the 2nd half? The WRs are probably getting pissed. Every game takes money outta Rod's pocket.

I can't get on Rod right now you can't force the QB to throw the ball to you, I can imagine it's pretty tough running around for all your worth knowing the QB couldn't hit the floor if he fell on it, let's see what he has this week, my thought is Gardner will be else where next year unless he really goes crazy these last 7 games.

Rod isn't in a contract year, why do so many people think that? He's signed through 2005.

Rod isn't in a contract year, why do so many people think that? He's signed through 2005.


Really? For whatever reason I thought this was a contract year, well I guess he will be around for 1 more year.

You are right, Gardner has been non-existent in the last month, but compared to our other wide receivers he is doing well. He leads all receivers with 5 reception TD's. The next receiver is Cooley with three. Laveranues Coles has only one and so does Clinton Portis. All our other receivers have ZERO TD's.

Our recieving corps has been getting a lot of flak recently. Sure, they've dropped some passes but who hasn't? Our recieving corps is fine. I distinctly recall a lot of people saying before the season began that we had one of the best, deepest recieving corps in the league. We've still got the same recievers on the roster. So what gives?

Brunell and our pass protection. Give our QB an arm and some pass protection and our wideouts will look great.